Lymans Great Plains Rifle question

SCRIDER1 · 10-07-2005, 12:01 PM

I recently came into posession of an old muzzleloader that is stamped Lymans Great Plains Rifle. Its a right-handed percussion model in 54 caliber. I know it is a reproduction, but I'm wondering if anyone can give me more details about it? How old it might be? What load I should try with it (I shoot 80 grains with my 50 cal. but I've never shot a 54). What kind of performance could I expect compared to a 50 cal, ect. Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

dmurphy317 · 10-08-2005, 02:18 AM

You can get a lot of the info you are looking for by contacting Lyman directly. The will probably send you an owners manual for the gun and can tell you when it was built.

I have been considering building a GPR from their kit and if I do it will be the 54. It is a good round ball gun based on all I've heard about it.

cherokee_outfitters · 10-08-2005, 06:24 AM

The Great Plains Rifle is Lymans standard production muzzleloader. Chances are your rifle is less than a few decades old. This is the muzzleloader I personally use.

My personal load is 415gr TC maxi ball (self casted) 110 grs of pyrodex powder and standard no11 percussion cap from cci. Of course bore butter as bullet lube.

It will be slower than your 50cal of course that means losing tragectory faster. But well capable of taking on longer ranges with the experienced hunter behind it. It will hit harder than the 50cal in terms of energy displacement. But either the 50 or 54 is plenty of bullet for most game in america.

Also if the gun is in good shape and no rust pits in the barrel let me know if you decide you don't want it.

Ruger-Redhawk · 10-08-2005, 09:34 AM

SCRIDER1 You would get a better response posting this in the Blackpowder section.

I don't have a Lyman. I have a old T/C Renegade in 54.cal.I've used bothRB and the Maxi Balls.Both projectilesI used 120 grains of 3 Fg blackpowder.It will thump ya.I shot a deer or two with it and believe me it will lay them low in short order.

The Lyman's are supposedly a good rifle. I just never had any experience with them.Since I got my Knight Disc,my traditional ML's have been semi retired for primitive weapons season. They are funto shoot.

Ruger Redhawk